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2023:  AGHOGHOVBIA APPEAL FOR  MORE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT OF  WOMEN IN POLITICS

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As the People’s  Democratic party (PDP)  draw new, Chief Mrs Grace Aghoghovbia has said women constitute at least half of Nigeria’s population. They make important and largely unacknowledged contributions to economic life and play crucial roles in all spheres of society, “Despite Nigeria’s long history of political parties, very few Nigerian women have held political
offices either elected or appointed.

However, it is no longer fashionable to attest that the foundation upon which the People’s Democratic Party has thrived since its welcome to democracy has been the three-legged pillar which is Equity, Fairness and Progress. This template has been copied by opposition parties, all
in a bid to attain the enviable height the party has achieved since its formation in 1999. The party
has shown times and again that it is all-embracing and open to new possibilities in its aspiration
to remain arguably Africa’s largest political party. It is, for this reason, it welcomed women involvements in politics.

Aghoghovbia noted that Nigeria and especially  Delta State is in dare need of female representation  in positions of authority. “We are all aware of the success stories women have achieved within the three tiers of government. Gone are the days when passive participation of democratic dispensation, has been ticipation of women in the nation’s political parties and policy-making bodies suggests that women’s role in politics begins and ends in ‘the other room’. That Sarah Jibril stood tall amongst men of equal standing to
contest for the PDP’s primary, where she garnered as paltry as 4 votes, points to the fact that gender inclusiveness is gradually being injected into the DNA of the People’s Democratic Party.
Nevertheless, while she carried her cross alone, her small victory and writing her name in History books have emboldened other women to pick up where she left. A lesson well learn, that women need all the support they can get to achieve parity in political inclusiveness.

Recently,  Senator Dr.  Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, who is fondly called ‘Ekwueme and Road Master’,
by his admirers, has been at the forefront of promoting the goals of gender inclusiveness by
attaining the 35% affirmative action for women in elective and appointive offices. This is aside
from several women empowerment programs geared towards providing financial independence and stability for women. Remarkably, the election of 17 women as Local Government Vice-Chairmen out of 25 Local
Government Areas in Delta State is not only historic, it is unprecedented in the political history of Delta State and indeed Nigeria.

This has been made possible by his firm and visionary position as the leader who continues to insist and ensure that women are fully represented and integrated as key players in the scheme of governance and leadership in the State, Commendably, it is worthy of note that while the National Gender Policy (NGP) has formulated a 35% Affirmative Action (AA) for women in Nigeria since 2006, what Ekwueme has done in
Delta State is already 68% and has far surpassed the recommendation of the policy. ”

This achievement could only have been delivered by astute and strategic vision, firm, determined and courageous leadership, however, as we approach the 2023 elections, the question persists, should the women in our great party rest on their oars thinking they have ‘arrived’? isn’t there room to consolidate on these aforementioned successes? If so, why not make a case for a speakership position or better
still the Governorship or Deputy Governorship position? Are these goals not achievable in this
present dispensation?

Remarkably, it is worthy of note that the women of Delta state have been tried and tested politicians who have showed time and again they can run for the highest political offices.
Women such as Mrs Evelyn Ojakovo, Hon Princess Adjudua, Hon Faith Majemite, Hon Dr.Chief Eunice Okoh, Barr Mrs Taiga, Barr Benedicta Osakuni, Hon Mrs Take Ibori-Suene, the new ‘Kids on the Block’ like Chief Mrs Shimite Bello, Mrs Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, Barr. Bridget Anyafulu and a host of others, who have held the Umbrella firmly to accommodate others with proven successive track records, clearly points to the reality that they are mentally, spiritually and psychologically prepared to ‘take it to the next level’

All politics they say is local, these women have the financial war chest, as well as the grassroots credibility from their community of domicile,
for the great party, all elective positions aspired for. They havetheir constituencies on
‘lockdown’, anytime and day, the electorates and party members have faithfully followed them
all through these years. That the Governor attests to these facts, only goes a long way to show how highly esteemed they are held.
As the 2023 elections gain momentum, there is no doubt Ekwueme has achieved lots in terms of human and capital infrastructure.

“Asaba is now rapidly growing to a city worthy of it as a result of the efforts Okowa  put in to ensure that development is achieved in all sectors of the state. Nevertheless, to
whom much is given, even more, is expected. The women have stood by him through thick and thin through this successful journey. Therefore, as he begins to wind up this chapter and open a new one, the best legacy he can leave is supporting the women in producing either a governorship position, a deputy governor  or speakership position. With this, his name would echo in the hearts and memory of the people and history will be kind to him. If The role of women in deciding who ascend elective positions in the previous election is anything to go by, I think it is high time the women joined in the conversation to be elected in the top three positions of the state. Women, as we move into the week of Primaries, I want to use this opportunity to wish you
all the very best of luck,’ Aghoghovbia said.

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Nollywood, social media, others fueling get-rich-quick syndrome — First Lady

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The wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday, said skewed messages projected by some movies, social media and religious organisations are fueling the get-rich-quick syndrome which is also driving Nigeria’s high rate of trafficking in persons.

Tinubu also pledged her support to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons in the agency’s ongoing fight against human trafficking.

She stated this when the Director-General of the agency, Binta Bello, led the top management of NAPTIP to her office at the State House, Abuja.

Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, revealed this in a statement signed on Friday titled ‘First Lady reiterates call for re-orientation for hard work and patience.’

The First Lady, who was briefed on the activities of the Agency, particularly the recent raid on a baby factory in Abuja, where 19 pregnant young girls were rescued, called on youths to stop making themselves easy targets for traffickers and other criminally minded people by embracing the virtues of patience and hard work.

She said, “The get rich quick syndrome is not helping matters. Even our religious institutions are doing prosperity preaching and even the bible talks about work. Social media is also not helping. Nollywood as well.

She pledged her support to the agency, starting with interfacing with wives of State Governors to assist in enhancing awareness and advocacy about its activities.

Earlier, the Director General of the Agency solicited the First Lady’s support for NAPTIP’s renewed campaign against human trafficking and GBV.

Bello explained that it is top of the agenda of the agency, as the trend of trafficking is getting alarming.

“Trafficking in persons is the second largest transnational organised crime in the world after drug trafficking.

“It is also a huge menace in Nigeria and it requires the buy-in and active engagement of critical stakeholders to fight it,” she stated.

She pointed out that despite the agency’s string of successes including the recent rescue of 21 young victims taken from Niger State, en route Republic of Niger, gaps in resources mobilisation and legal frameworks are some of the challenges confronting the operations of the agency.

She highlighted skills acquisition, awareness advocacy, provision of adequate shelter and safe homes, and legislative and policy support as some of the areas of intervention needed from the First Lady.

The First Lady also gave an audience to the new national executives of the National Council for Women Societies of Nigeria, led by its new National President, Princess Edna Azura.

The delegation was in her office to thank her for her motherly support to the council, especially after the passing of its immediate past National President, Lami Lau.

While commending them for working together in unity, the First Lady encouraged the council to do more for their members by taking advantage of the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI programs at the subnational levels.

Tinubu reiterated her commitment to building better families through the Renewed Hope initiative.

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Ex-minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye joins Nollywood

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Former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has joined the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood.

Kennedy joined Nollywood a few months after being sacked by President Bola Tinubu.

SOCIETY REPORTERS reports that Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye was appointed as minister in August 2023, and removed alongside four others in a cabinet reshuffle on October 23, 2024.

The 51-year-old politician has now shifted her focus to filmmaking barely four months after her removal from the cabinet.

Announcing her acting career on her X handle, the former minister shared a video of her latest project.

Kennedy who is also a lawyer and entrepreneur, joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2015 and emerged the party’s first female presidential aspirant in 2023, before ultimately withdrawing to support Tinubu.

 

 

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Alleged N1.3bn Fraud: Police Withdraw Charge against Obanikoro, Adegbenro and Others…

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The Nigeria Police Force has withdrawn the alleged fraud charge against Mr. Gbolahan Obanikoro, the son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four others, over alleged N1.3 billion fraud involving Access Bank.

 

Gbolahan alongside, Adejare Adegbenro; Balmoral International Limited; M.O.B. Integrated Limited; and DDSS International Company Limited were billed for arraignment before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos on February 27.

 

However, the police in a Notice of Withdrawal brought under Section 108(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, has informed the court of its desire to withdraw the charge against the defendants.

The document dated February 4, and signed by a Chief Superintendent of Police, J. I. Enang read in part: “Take notice that the prosecution hereby withdraws the above mentioned charge against the defendants herein.

 

 

However, no reason was given for the withdrawal of the charge.

 

In the suit marked: FHC/L/902c/2024, the defendants were accused of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, and involvement in a N1,356,057,330.43 fraud.

 

The Inspector General of Police, had through the Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos, accused all the defendants of conspiring between May and September 2013 to fraudulently obtain the sum of N1,356,057,330.43 from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank).

 

 

They allegedly misrepresented themselves to the bank’s staff and officers, claiming that they were involved in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria and that the money was needed to finance the importation of a set of brand-new cars for resale.

 

 

The defendants were also accused of converting, transferring, retaining, or taking possession of the funds, knowing or having reason to know that such funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.

 

Additionally, they were alleged to have unlawfully converted the sum of N1 billion belonging to the bank for personal use.

 

When the matter came up last month, the prosecutor, M.Y. Bello informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the arraignment of all defendants.

 

However, he requested a new date to allow all the defendants to appear in court and take their pleas.

 

 

Counsel for the 4th defendant, Joshua Abel, told the court that most of the defendants, who were directors were not in the country, adding that only the companies named in the charge had been served with the charge sheet.

 

He, however, assured the court that all defendants would be present at the next adjourned date to take their pleas.

 

In light of the submissions, Justice Lewis-Allagoa adjourned the matter to February 27 for the arraignment of all the defendants.

 

Meanwhile, there were indications that the hearing for the case to be struck out might hold tomorrow, Friday.

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